WORLD BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 21, 26 January 1939, Page 12

WORLD BOXING.

CHAMPIONS RECORD. HIS PROFESSIONAL FIGHTS. ONLY SETBACK AVENGED. The date of the fight between the two negrops, Joe Louis (holder) and John Henry Lewis (formerly light-heavy champion), for the world heavy-weight title was changed to January 25 (last night), after having originally been arranged to take place at Madison Square Garden, New York, to-morrow. The challenger, who is 13 day® older than Louis, both having been born in May, 1914, became light-heavy champion on October 31, 1935, at St. Louis, where he outpointed Bob Olin (U.S.A.). His most noteworthy bout since was on November 9, 1936, when he crossed the Atlantic to give Len Harvey a fight in the Englishman's own country. It went the full 15 rounds, Lewis securing the decision on points. His latest victory was over A 1 Gainer, at New York, on October 30 last year, when he regained the title, of which the New York Boxing Commission had deprived him for want of prosecution. It was announced in August, 1938, that elimination contests would be held to decide the holder, among those named being Tiger Fox, A 1 Gainer and Gus Lesnevich. The last-named, who is at present in Australia, refused to participate, as he agreed with many other Americans that Lewis had not forfeited the honours. The next known in New Zealand about the light-heavy title was a cablegram from New York on October 30 stating that Lewis had "retained" the championship by beating Gainer.

Joe Louis won the world heavy-weight championship in his thirty-fifth professional bout. The former Golden Glover has scored 29 knock-outs, won five decisions, and his only setback was the knock-6ut administered by Max Schmeling at Yankee Stadium, New York, on June 19, 1936. This reverse Louis avenged on June 22 last year, when he knocked out the German in a single round. Here's the champion's record: — 1934. Knock-outs.—Jack Kracken, 1; Willie Davis, 3; Larry Udell, 2; Buck Everett, 2; Otto Borchuk, 4; Art Sykes, 8; Jack ODowd, 2; Stanley Pored*, 1; Charley Massera, 3; Lee Ramage, & 1935. Knock-outs.—Hans Birkie, 10; Lee Ramage, 2; Reds Barry, 3; Boy Laser, 3; Biff Bennett, 1; Roscoe Toles, 6; Willie Davis, 2; Gene Stanton, 3; Primo Camera, 6; King Levinsky, 1; Max Baer, 4; Paulino Uzcudun, 4. t Won.—Patsy Perroni, 10 j Natie Brown, 10. 1936. Knock-outs.—Charley * Retzlaff, 1; Jack Sharkey, 3; A 1 Ettore, 5; Jorge Brescia, 3; Eddie Sinims, 1. Knocked out by Max Schmeling, 12. 1937. Knock-outs. —Natie Brown, 4; Jim Braddoek, Chicago, in eight rounds, the title changing hands to be held by Louis up to last night. Won.—Bob Pastor, 10; Tomlny Farr, 15. 1938. Knock-outs.—Nathan Mann, 3; Harry Thomas, o; Max Schmeling (New York),